Provides clothes to children in need

Imagine a child embarrassed by their clothes and shoes at school. Poor self-esteem can have a negative impact on academic success and attendance. New clothes and shoes go a long way toward boosting a child’s self-confidence.

Children in need who are identified by school personnel are given a date in September or October to shop with a parent at Kohl’s in San Marcos for $100-$150 worth of new school clothes depending on the student’s age. Our volunteers help the family find appropriate sizes and then total up the cost of their selections before they proceed to check out. The children go home with a bag of new clothes and big smiles on their faces.

An Assistance League of Inland North County member who chooses to participate in this program might do one or more of the following activities:

  • Welcoming families at check-in at Kohl’s
  • Helping students in the Kohl’s children’s department choose school appropriate clothing that fits
  • Total up the cost of students’ selections before they proceed to check out
  • Assist Kohl’s cashiers at check-out and at the same time encourage students to do their best at school

Our Partners in this Effort

We currently serve 100 schools in 9 school districts and the McKinney-Vento Program for homeless students in Vista, Escondido, Fallbrook, Valley Center, Warner Springs, Ramona, Vallecitos and Poway.  Students in grades K-2 receive $100, grades 3-5 $125 and grades 6-12 $150 for school clothes and shoes.  Once a year, we join forces with other neighboring Assistance League chapters to clothe children of military families at Camp Pendleton.

What do our partners say about the program?

“Assistance League of Inland North County has been wonderful to work with, and we look forward to our continued collaboration. Their generous contributions have improved the lives of hundreds of students in the Escondido Union School District.” Coordinator of the McKinney-Vento Program.

Operation School Bell

Camp Pendleton

Each August, we partner with seven local chapters of Assistance League to provide new school clothes, shoes, socks and hygiene kits to children of Marine families at Camp Pendleton. Families appreciate this help to get students ready to start school.